Friday - July 5

Ahhhh...the sun was shining today and what a treat after all the rain.    We had breakfast and the guys did boat stuff and other outdoor projects..    After lunch, Michael, Brooke and Drew went back into town and are spending the night.   Tomorrow morning they will drive to the Charlotte airport where Drew and several other 7th-8th graders (People-to-People) will fly to Rome for 1st stop on a 3-week trip with 5 countries to see.....what an experience for these young people.   Drew was very excited when he left and we said our good-byes.

 

Mark got a haircut this afternoon and the barber said we've gotten 6" of rain past few days and 18" total since June 1.   WOW with more coming this weekend (hope things clear up before  the kids/grandsons arrive next week)???

 

Brady and I played Sequence (he won) and 2 games of RummiKube (we each won one).    Around 5:00, it got dark, wind picked up and the heavens opened up - had 2 really good downpours.    Took the boys to the Lake James Pub and Grill for supper - good meal and now back and settled in for the night.

 

Uncle Ryan and Luke hanging out in Pensacola

 

Michael, Brooke and boys

Grandpa, Grandma and boys

 

Davis, Brady and Grandpa at the Lake James Pub and Grill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 4, 2013

Happy Birthday America

 

 

 

Hope you've had a great holiday!    Ours here in North Carolina has been VERY soggy.   My-oh-my, the rain just keeps coming down.    But it hasn't dampened our spirits and celebrating our independence here in 2013.

 

After breakfast, we sat around and discussed what to do this rainy day.    Michael and Drew took the pontoon to Camp Lake James and rest of us came by car.    They were having a big red, white and blue BBQ and lots of people there, but the rain just wouldn't go away!     Lots of good eating, games for the kids and dive for beer/soda contests.    There was the occasional downpour, but everyone hung in there.    After 4 hours, we came home and the heavens opened up AGAIN....unreal!!!

 

The Guys

Jinx, Davis, Grandpa, Brady, Michael and Drew

 

Michael grilled burgers and sweet corn - delish!    The fireworks were canceled and rescheduled for Saturday night!    Just after dinner, we had another rainstorm!     Sounds like a big part of the eastern US is getting soaked!   Hope you've all had a great day!!!



Wednesday - July 3

Another day of heavy rain................Mark and I exercised and then started loading up 2 trucks and 1 car for the trek to Lake James with all our stuff.    Brooke had a doctor appointment, so came up later.   Mark, Michael boys and I got stuff unloaded in between the heavy downpours and then went to Camp Lake James for lunch.

 

After getting clothes, food and stuff put away, we are just enjoying a leisurely afternoon - reading, napping, TV, games, etc.    It's sooo pretty here despite the rain) and looking forward to 2 weeks of family fun.   The kids will start trickling in beginning next Monday (Philip, Annette and Luke are spending a few days with Ryan in Pensacola before coming here).

 

All of us went to Roma's for delicious Italian dinner and then home to watch "Bourne Legacy"

 on the big screen....

 

Wishing you all a very HAPPY, SAFE July 4th!!!!

 

 

Tuesday - July 2

RAIN RAIN RAIN soooooooooooooo much rain!!!!!    After breakfast with Bert, Clarine and Michael (Bert's care giver), we left Roanoke and it wasn't long till the heavens opened up and it poured and poured.   For over 200 miles (much of this, thru the mountains with all the twists and turns,) we had a deluge!    Not sure when we've seen it rain this hard and for this long of time!

 

Arrived at Michael and Brooke's around noon...............sooo good to see them (had not seen Brooke or the boys in 6 months)   Whoaaa...MUCH too long!    Saw Michael in January at his Grandpa's funeral.    so....lots of hugs and chatter.    Brooke and I left for some pampering (manicure for her and pedicure for me and then to grocery store.)  While we were shopping, it rained so hard again.........quick reprieve while we loaded the car and then torrential downpour all the way home.   Unreal and forecast is more of the same next several days!!!!

So enjoyed our visit with family in Roanoke, Virginia

 

Michael, Bert and Clarine

 

Checked out the sweet nursery waiting for baby and all the little pink outfits -something new for our family!!!    Boys are excited!!!

 

Brooke met some out-of-town gals (4 long-time friends) in Winston-Salem for dinner.   Mark, Michael, boys and I went to a new place, "Olde Hickory Station" in the old train station for great dinner!

 

 

 

 

 

Monday - July 1

Happy 1st of July and lots of hot summertime fun ahead  We were up early to exercise, have breakfast and Catrina was lifted out at 8:30.    Mark had several jobs to finish up before we left around 10:45.   Very overcast all morning and drove thru some rain, then occasional sunshine in the afternoon with temps in the low 80's.

Arrived at my cousin, Clarine and Bert's home in Roanoke around 4:30.....so good to see them and be back in their lovely home.    Lots of chatter over a great dinner and wine.    Our dads were brothers
and what fun reminiscing abut the good ole days, our family genealogy and looking at pictures from their daughter's April wedding.
 

These two have been such an inspiration to all.......Bert was in a horrible biking accident in 2008 which left him a quadriplegic and Clarine had a brain tumor and still going thru chemo.     They are both doing well and we are amazed at their strength, courage and attitude!    GREAT people!!!!

Tomorrow we are off to Michael and Brooke's.   Cannot wait to see them and
Drew, Davis and Brady!